
But the elder brothers of the young ‘Abd Al-Basit had by now, already expressed their fervent, desire to
pursue studies in the scholarly tradition of their forefathers at the prestigious University of Al-Azhar in
Egypt, but unlike his elder brothers the young ‘Abd Al-Basit would express his desire to memorize the Quran
by heart and to one day achieve his dream of becoming a Qari, a devoted disciple and dedicated reciter of the
Holy Quran.
UNDER THE WINGS OF A MENTOR
e young ‘Abd Al-Basit Muhammad ‘Abd As-Samad had his father’ approval and full support. In actual fact
it was under his father’s caring and loving presence that the 10 year old prodigy came to memorize the entire
Quran by heart, word for word, from cover to cover. e following year, his father took him to the village of
Asfoon, where he enrolled him into a Quranic School where the young ‘Abd Al-Basit ‘Abd As-Samad excelled
and eventually received his certication upon having mastered the seven modes recitations and a short while
later, the 10 authoritative recitations of the Glorious Quran under the expert tutelage of his mentor Sheikh
Muhammad Salim.
It was not long aer this that his teacher, would permithis
young protégé to accompany him whenever he attended,
religious ceremonies, and gatherings in which, the Holy
Quran, would be rehearsed publicly. Yet despite his tender
age and lack of experience at the early age of 14 Sheikh
Abdul Basit AbdusSamad was encouraged, by his mentor
to participate in these public rehearsals. It was in these
early days that the unusual talent and unique gi of Qari
Abdul Basit began to be noticed.
HEART AND SOUL OF EGYPT
However it was not until 1950, during religious celebrations in Cairo that events suddenly took a fateful turn
for the young and upcoming Qari. During these very special functions and gatherings, the audience would
listen to the greatest and most seasoned performers of the day, many of whom travelled into Cairo from the
famous village of Tanta, a place that is renowned to this day, for its exceptional Quran reciters and scholars.
At only 23 years of age and somewhat unknown in larger cities, such as Cairo, the young hopeful was
intimidated and reluctant to attend the ceremony, however with the encouragement of his senior
companions and with the approval of his mentor he eventually accompanied them to Cairo. It was to be
a day that would mark history in Egypt, a bright new day in which the voice of Qari ‘Abd Al-Basit ‘Abd
As-Samad, like the splendid rays of light emitted by of the rising sun, would penetrate the very heart
and soul of Egypt. Qari ‘Abd Al-Basit ‘Abd As-Samad was mostly anxious and relatively discreet in the
overwhelming presence of senior practitioners and authoritative personalities that were present at the
gathering.
e Imam of Lady Zainab’s Mosque, Sheikh Ali Subay, had noticed the presence of this young man
sitting amongst some of the greatest reciters and most famous memorizers of Glorious Quran, yet somehow
unsuspectedly, the young Qari would be summoned to recite for a duration of only ten minutes as a short
opening rehearsal while the audiences warmed up for the main performers to commence. Gracefully, the
young Qari began with the name of Allah and proceeded to recite some verses from the Holy Quran. is
was to be a dening moment, a Golden moment, that would propel him into the center, of a universe that
had previously been exclusively for the senior Quran reciters and devotees of the day, but now – at only 23
years of age, Qari ‘Abd Al-Basit Muhammad ‘Abd As-Samad had captivated the heart of Cairo and totally
mesmerized his audience.
His 10 minute rehearsal eventually lasted for an entire hour and a half owing to the insatiable and
overwhelming requests from the audience.
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